Leaving a cavity unattended is one of the worst things you can do for your dental health. When treated early, small spots of tooth decay require little more than a quick, painless filling — but when ignored, a cavity can turn into a significant problem that costs you more stress, pain and time in the long run. Keep reading to learn more about tooth decay and how you can catch small cavities earlier in 2016!
Ignoring tooth decay leads to big problems
You probably already know what a cavity looks like — chances are you’ve had a few already. They’re dark brown or black pits or holes that form on the surface of teeth, especially in the nooks and crannies of back molars, where bacteria can easily accumulate. Chances are good you won’t even notice a cavity in its earliest stages… but as it worsens, you’ll certainly start to realize something’s going on in your mouth. Some of the problems related to unattended tooth decay include:
- Tooth pain that can range from mild to severe, depending on level of decay
- Dental abscess can occur when the infection spreads to the pulp of the tooth or in other soft tissues of the mouth
- Chronic bad breath
- Eventual tooth loss
Tooth decay comes with a host of serious side effects — but the good news is that it’s also incredibly easy to prevent with a solid oral hygiene routine.
Preventive care helps you stop cavities in their tracks
When it comes to keeping your mouth as healthy as possible, we can’t stress enough the importance of good prevention. Dr. Kogan wants to remind you it’s far easier to stop dental problems from ever happening in the first place — and you can do that by following these daily healthy-tooth guidelines.
#1: Brush ‘em
Brushing your teeth for two minutes, twice a day is without a doubt one of your biggest defenses against tooth decay and gum infection. Unfortunately, too many adults fall down on the brushing job. Make sure you’re cleaning your teeth in the morning and before bed, for two minutes each time. Try watching the clock until you’re used to what two minutes feels like — or better yet, invest in an electric toothbrush, which will probably feature an automatic timer.
#2: Don’t forget the floss
It’s not optional — floss is the only method you have of removing the leftover food particles and bacteria your toothbrush just can’t reach. Make sure you’re flossing at least daily for the very best oral health.
#3: Visit the dentist every six months
Your biannual visits to The Dental Center of Westport are the final requirement for excellent dental care. When you stay on top of your checkup and cleaning, you’re giving Dr. Kogan and her team a chance to look for small signs of decay and infection — and stop them early when they do occur.
If it has been more than six months since your last checkup and cleaning, what are you waiting for? Contact The Dental Center of Westport to book your visit today!